Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston Could Play The Villain In Thor: The Dark World

Christopher Eccleston is no stranger to genre. He's done everything from sci-fi/horror like Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later to blockbuster action with G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and he even played the ninth Doctor on Doctor Who for one season. And is now getting set to make his way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

THR has learned that Eccleston, who hasn't been in a film since 2009's Amelia, is now in talks to play the villain of Thor: The Dark World. Originally Mads Mikkelsen of Casino Royale fame was going to play the part, however he had to drop out due to his commitments to the new Hannibal Lecter television show he is starring in. Little is known about the plot of the film, but the title could suggest that a good deal of the action could be set in the world of Svartalfheim and there are rumors that the central villain would be Malekith The Accursed, the leader of the Dark Elves (who Eccleston would be playing if he signs on).

Alan Taylor, best known for his work on the HBO series Game of Thrones, is directing the sequel with Chris Hemsworth set to return as Thor, Tom Hiddleston coming back as Loki and Anthony Hopkins reprising his role as Odin. Production will begin this fall and the film will land in theaters on November 8, 2013. To keep up on all the latest news and information about Thor: The Dark World, be sure to head over to our Blend Film Database.